Skate.



R. B. EUBANK, J8-

SKATE. I APPLICATION FILED APB..24. 190B.

Patented June 29, 1909.

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WITNESS: INVEN TOR.

R. B. EUBANK, JR-

SKATE.

APPLICATION mum APR. 2% 1906.

926,646, Patented June 29, 1909.

2 SHBETB-BKBET 2.

INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFEQE.

REUBEN B. EUBANK, .l'lt, OF KANSAS CITY, hliSSOllltl, ASSIGNOH TO 'llliC BlOYUl/ll SlQVIIG AND MANUFACTURING (10., A CORPORATION OF BUSSOUlll.

SKATE.

Application filed April 24,

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN B. EUBANK, Jr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in skates, and the improvements are applicable to either roller or ice-skates.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide means for relieving the skaters ankles of all lateral strain so that skates with high rollers can be used with ease and comfort by those possessing weak ankles.

A further object is to provide means in the form of a brake whereby the skater will have absolute control over the skates and may reduce their speed or stop them when desired.

Other features of the invention will hereinafter appear and in order that it may be fully understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a roller-skate provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a broken irregular, vertical, crosssection of the same on line IL-II of Fig. 1. F 3 is an inverted plan view of the skate. Fig. 1 is a broken inverted plan view of the front portion of the skate partly in section. Fig. is a cross-section on line V-V of Fig. Fig. 6 is an irregular cross-section on line VI-VI of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 shows part of the invention applied to an ice-skate.

In carrying out the invention I employ a metallic foot-plate 1, having an upturned heel-piece 2 and a pair of adjustable side clamps 3, which latter have slots 4 at their undersides through which a pair of studbolts 5, depending from the bottom of plate 1, extend. The threaded ends of stud-bolts 5 are engaged by a pair of thumb-nuts 6 whereby the clamps are locked in any of their adjusted positions.

7 designates two toe-straps, the lower ends of which are secured to the underside of plate 1 in advance of clamps 3, while their upper ends are provided with buckle-members S and 9, whereby they are adjustably connected.

10 designates two instep-straps the lower ends of which extend through upturned loops .11 on plate 1, while their upper ends Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 428,910.

are adjustably connected by two bucklemembers 12 13. .l'lcekpiece 2, clamps 3, and straps 7 and 10 form convenient means for reliably securing the foot -plate to the skaters foot, and as they are all adjustable except the heel-piece 2, they may be set to lit feet of different sizes.

Foot-plate 1. is provided with depending front and rear brackets 14 15, respectively, carrying axles 16, upon which are mounted a pair of rollers 17. Rollers 17 are, preferably, four or live inches in diameter, as it is a well known fact that rollers of large diameter travel more easily and smoothly than those of small diameter but heretofore it has been impracticable to employ large rollers on account of the strain imposed thereby upon the skaters ankles, caused by the tendency of the rollers to tip laterally. I, however, provide means as will hereinafter appear, whereby the skaters ankles are practically relieved of all lateral strain, so that the diameter of the rollers need be limited only by the length of the foot-plate 1.

The forward upper end of bracket H: is pivotally secured to the foot-platc by a rivet 18 so that the skater may describe a curve without lifting the skates from the floor or surface of the street, as the pivotal movement of the bracket permits the forward roller to turn at an angle to the rear roller. The front roller, however, is normally held in alincment with the rear roller by a pair of springs 19, secured at their forward ends to the foot-plate by a clip 20 and hearing at their diverging rear ends against the opposite sides of bracket 15. In order that the pivotal movement of the bracket will be attended with but little friction, I intcrpose antifriction-balls 21 between the underside of foot-plate 1 and the upper side of the bracket, which latter has a ball-race 22 in whichthe balls operate see Fig. (5.

23 designates a clip secured to the underside of the foot-plate and provided with a lip 24 which undcrlaps the rear end of bracket 14 and limits the pivotal movement thereof. Said clip also assists rivet 18 in securing the bracket to the foot-plate, but it will be understood that its lip 2-1 does not frictiomrlly engage the bracket and thus interfere with the free movement thereof.

The means above referred to, whereby the skaters ankles are relieved of lateral strain consists of a pair of adjustable and extensible braces 25 26, the former of which is bent outwardly at its lower portion 27 to avoid contacting with the inner side of the skaters ankle. Each brace consists of an externallythreaded rod 28 and an internally-threaded tube 29 whichlatter is adjusted longitudinally upon the former so that the brace may be shortened or lengthened to fit limbs of different lengths.

The braces are pivotally secured at their lower ends to a transverse member 30 so they may swing away or toward each other as indicated by arrows a, and in order that they may be securely locked in any of their adjusted positions, I provide the circular lower ends of the rods 28 with radial ratchet-teeth 28 adapted to engage similar teeth on the upturned circular terminals of member 30. The teeth on the rods 28 are reliably held in engagement with those on member 30 by retaming-nuts 31 and bolts 32, which latter form the pivotal points on which the braces swing.

The braces are united near their lower portions by a metallic strap 33 which is flexible to permit the pivotal adjustment of said braces. The braces are pro ided at their up per ends with straps 34 whereby they are reliably secured to the limbs of the skater. Each strap is made in two pieces and provided with buckles 35 whereby the ends of said pieces are adjustably connected together.

Member 30 is pivotally secured to the underside of foot-plate 1 by a pair of bearings 36, so that the braces may swing forward or backward and thus operate a brake consisting of a roller 37 and a lever 38, which latter is rigidly secured. to member 80. The brake provides a convenient means for either regulating the speed or stopping the skate when desired. Lover 38 is made in two pieces, the ends of which are pivotally connected by a bolt 39 so that roller 37 may be adjusted toward or away from the rearmost roller 17 to suit the convenience of the skater. To prevent accidental independent movement of the leverpieces after the roller 37 has been adjusted as desired, their abutting ends are provided with radial ratchet-teeth 40 which are reliably locked in engagement with each other by bolt 39 and a retaining-nut 41 engaging the threaded end of the bolt.

Referring now to 7, which shows a portion of the improvements applied to an ice-skate, 1" designates the foot-plate of said skate which is provided at its rear end with an upturned heel-piece 2 17 designates a runner to which the foot-plate is secured. 25 designates the braces which are secured to a transverse member 30 pivotally m0unted in bearings 36 secured to the underside of the foot-plate. The lower circular ends of the braces and the upturned circular termi nals of transverse member 30 are pivotally connected by bolts 32 provided with retaining-nuts 31 which reliably hold the radial ratchet-teeth on the abutting circular ends in engagement with each other after the braces have been adjusted laterally as desired. 38 designates a brake for controlling or stopping the skate, said brake being secured to the transverse member 30 Brake 38 is made in two pieces, so that the lower piece thereof may be adjusted toward or away from the surface of the ice. The abutting ends of said pieces are adjustably secured together by a bolt 39" and a nut 40.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination, a skate, means thereon for securing it to a skater. s foot, and braces secured to said skate, having lateral adjustment and adapted to swing backward or forward.

2. In combination, a skate, means thereon for securing it to a skaters foot, and. braces adjustably secured to said skate each of which consists of a threaded-rod and a threaded-tube which latter is adjustable longitudinally upon the former, and means for securing said braces to the skaters limb.

3. In combination, a skate, means thereon for securing it to a skaters foot, and braces adjustably secured to said skate each of which consists of a threaded-rod and a threaded-tube which latter is adjustable longitudinally upon the former; a flexible metallic strap uniting said braces, and straps attached to said braces for securing the same to the skaters limb.

4. In combination, a skate, means thereon for securing it to a skaters foot, adjustable braces secured to said skate, and. a brake which is actuated by said braces.

5. In combination, a skate consisting of a foot-plate, means thereon for securing it to a skaters foot, a forward bracket pivotally secured to the foot-plate, a rearward bracket fixed to the foot-plate, rollers journaled in said brackets, braces secured to the foot plate, and a brake actuated by said braces and adapted to engage the rearmost roller.

6. In combination, a skate, means thereon for securing it to a skaters foot, adjustable braces secured to said skate, and an adjustable brake which is actuated by said braces.

7. In combination, a skate consisting of a pair of rollers one of which is arranged in front of the other, a foot-plate mounted upon said rollers, and braces secured to said footplate, having lateral adjustment and adapted to swing backward and forward.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

REUBEN B. EUBANK, JR.

IVitnesses:

F. G. FIscHER, M. Cox. 

